Saudi GP to go ahead despite driver concerns after attack

Formula 1's Saudi Arabian GP is set to go ahead despite concerns from drivers in lengthy meetings after an attack on an oil depot close to the Jeddah circuit.

F1's grid of 20 drivers met for over four hours after practice on Friday and talks - which included team bosses and F1 chiefs - continued until 2.30am local time in Saudi Arabia.

Sky Sports understands drivers raised concerns over the safety of the event in the wake of a missile attack on a nearby oil facility earlier on Friday afternoon, for which Yemen's Houthi rebel group have taken responsibility.

But while the lengthy meetings suggested some drivers may have wanted to boycott, the Saudi Arabian GP is still set to go ahead as planned and team bosses have insisted they will be racing this weekend.

An oil depot - around seven miles from the track and owned by F1 sponsor Aramco - was set ablaze during first practice in Saudi and a large black smoke cloud could be seen from the circuit.

The fire was still burning late on Friday night and there was still smoke pouring into the sky on Saturday morning.

Saudi Arabian authorities say there were no casualties from the attack.

Before the F1 drivers continued their meetings in the Jeddah paddock, the sport's president Stefano Domenicali insisted they had received unanimous support from drivers to continue and "total assurance" about safety from authorities.

The attack took place during first practice, which continued as normal, though there was a 15-minute delay to the start of second practice as drivers and team principals met with F1 president Domenicali and the FIA's Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

There was another meeting following P2, which was also attended by a Saudi delegation, after which the F1 and FIA chiefs emerged at